Vinyl is a preferred fence material for a variety of reasons. One of the top perks of vinyl is that the material is relatively low maintenance. That said, homeowners should perform some year-round maintenance to keep their vinyl fences in great shape.
Here are our top vinyl fence winter maintenance tips to perform this season:
- Trim tree limbs: Any overhanging tree limbs can come crashing down on your fence in the winter or even scratch up the vinyl. You can try trimming back limbs yourself, but we recommend hiring a pro to ensure the job is performed correctly and safely.
- Remove dirt and mold: A vinyl fence should be cleaned every three months or so to prevent dirt accumulation or mold growth. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your vinyl, now’s a great time to do so. Use a pressure washer and some mild detergent to blast away dirt and grime in a matter of minutes.
- Don’t use your fence for storage: One common mistake homeowners make is using their fence as a storage area. Placing garbage bins next to the fence or leaning ladders, rakes and other yard tools on the fence can weaken its structural integrity, especially if they’re on the fence for an entire season.
- Inspect the fence caps: Many homeowners only check the posts or fence slats for damage when they’re checking up on the fence—but don’t forget the post caps. These can come loose over time, shortening the fence’s lifespan. Two of our vinyl fence winter maintenance tips are to ensure the caps are secure and use super glue to secure them if they’re loose.
- Check its stability: Your fence posts, slats and caps might appear to be fine, but if the ground below the fence isn’t firm, your fence can topple over at any moment. Be sure to inspect the ground around your fence when performing your seasonal checkup.
What are the dangers of neglecting to maintain vinyl fencing?
Failing to adhere to our winter maintenance tips for vinyl fences has some major ramifications. Here are a few things that can happen if you don’t maintain your fence:
- Lasting stains: A stained fence is unsightly and can even drive down your property value. By cleaning your fence regularly, you can avoid stuck-on stains that are impossible to remove.
- Cracking: Your vinyl fence should last for a few decades before it needs to be replaced—but cracking is one of the leading causes of replacement. Following our maintenance guidelines goes a long way in ensuring you get the longest service life out of your fence.
- Structural issues: Along with cracking, your fence can become structurally unsound if you aren’t careful. Leaning objects against your fence for prolonged periods can cause the fence to fall over after a while, necessitating expensive replacement.
Do you need a new fence?
Whether your fence is falling apart due to old age or from failing to read our winter maintenance tips for vinyl fences, we’re the team to call. At Vinyl Professionals, Inc., we specialize in vinyl fence installation, and our team ensures your fence stays upright and looks great for years to come.